Directed by Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up just a day or two after the events of the previous film, thrusting us back into a fractured Britain where the lines between human and monster are starting to blur.

The Story: Faith and Factions in the Bone Temple

The sequel follows two main journeys: Spike (Alfie Williams), who is now on his own after his mother’s death, and Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), who has stayed behind in his grim “Bone Temple” situation.

Spike’s path takes a dark turn when he encounters a new threat: the Jimmy Cult. Often joked about as the “Power Rangers” of the apocalypse due to their uniform look, this group is led by the charismatic and terrifying Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Crystal claims to hear voices from “Old Nick” (Satan) and believes he is Satan’s son, leading his followers through a series of devious acts across the mainland.

The Controversy: A Morphine Cure for the Rage Virus?

The most discussed element of the film involves Samson, an Alpha Infected who seems to have a lingering spark of humanity. Dr. Kelson begins treating Samson with a medicinal concoction where the main ingredient is morphine.

Over the course of the film, Samson begins to change:

• He starts showing signs of lucidity and intelligence.
• He eventually speaks, saying, “Thank you, Kelson”.
• He is seen clothing himself and eating berries instead of raw meat.

The fact that Morphine is the action to reverse the effects of the Rage Virus, I feel it was a bit lazy. Maybe in the final part of the trilogy that point will be revisited.

The Massive Spoiler: Jim is Back!

For fans of the original 28 Days Later, the ending of The Bone Temple delivered the biggest shock of the trilogy so far. Despite internet rumors that a specific zombie in the film was Jim (Cillian Murphy), the truth is even better: Jim is alive and well.

Jim appears at the very end of the movie, living in a secluded cottage with his daughter. This reveal sets the stage for the third and final film in the trilogy, which looks to bring the franchise full circle by bringing back the man who started it all.

Final Verdict

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is an intense, visceral bridge between chapters. While the “morphine cure” might be a tough pill to swallow for some, the return of Jim and the evolution of the Alpha Infected ensure that the final film in this trilogy will be must-watch cinema.